Alpha’s Angel

A Dangerous Place to Be In Your own Home

Sage hummed softly to herself as she scrubbed the wooden railing of the staircase. The steady rhythm of her work was soothing, helping her push aside the lingering tension of the morning. The scent of lemon polish filled the air, and the sun filtered through the tall windows, casting golden patterns on the floor.

She wiped her brow with the back of her hand, glancing up at the sound of footsteps approaching.

It was Rylan, his expression unusually serious as he stopped at the base of the stairs. He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if to ensure no one had followed him, before stepping closer.

“Sage,” he whispered in a low voice.

She glanced at him briefly before returning to her task. “I’m a little busy, Rylan,” she replied, her tone polite but dismissive.

“This is important,” he insisted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I need to talk to you.”

She frowned, leaning back slightly to look at him more closely. His usual cocky grin was gone, replaced by a look of genuine concern. “If it’s that important, it’ll have to wait,” she said, trying to keep her focus on the railing. “I have a lot to do.”

Rylan’s jaw tightened. “It can’t wait, you make up things to clean everyday” he said firmly. “Please, Sage. Just five minutes.”

She paused, the cloth still in her hand, and sighed. “What’s this about?”

Rylan stepped closer, his voice dropping even lower. “It’s about Kael.”

At that, Sage’s stomach twisted. Her eyes darted to the hallway beyond, her senses suddenly on high alert. “Rylan, you shouldn’t be talking to me about him,” she whispered, her tone sharp.

“I know,” he admitted, his shoulders tense. “But I’m worried about you. I see the way he looks at you. Everyone does. And it’s not… it’s not right.”

Her pulse quickened, and she shook her head. “You don’t understand. You need to stop this.”

“I’m trying to help you,” he said, his voice full of frustration. “You’re not safe, Sage. Not with him acting like this. And Astrid—”

“Rylan,” she interrupted, her tone edged with warning.

He fell silent, his gaze locking onto hers. For a moment, the air between them was heavy with unspoken words.

Then, a soft creak echoed from the far end of the hall.

Both of them froze, their heads turning toward the sound.

Kael stood there, his towering form framed by the shadows of the hallway. His dark eyes burned with an intensity that made Sage’s breath catch. His lips curved into a cold, predatory smile as he stepped forward, his boots clicking softly against the polished floor.

“Rylan,” Kael said smoothly, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable razor sharp edge. “You seem to have forgotten your task for the day.”

Rylan stiffened, his face paling. “Alpha,” he said quickly, bowing his head.

Kael’s gaze flicked to Sage, lingering on her for a long, uncomfortable moment before returning to Rylan. “I wasn’t aware your duties included distracting my housekeeper,” he continued, his tone dangerously casual.

Rylan opened his mouth to reply, but Kael held up a hand to silence him. “Run along,” Kael said, his smile hardening. “Before I remind you what happens when you disobey.”

Rylan hesitated, his jaw tightening, but he finally nodded. “Yes, Alpha,” he muttered, casting one last worried glance at Sage before hurrying away.

Kael waited until Rylan was out of sight before turning his full attention to Sage.

“Busy, are we?” he asked, his tone lighter, though his eyes were anything but.

Sage gripped her cleaning cloth tightly, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Always,” she replied evenly forcing her heart beat to a normal pace.

Kael chuckled, stepping closer until he was mere inches away. “You attract attention, Angel,” he murmured, his voice low. “Even when you’re not trying to.”

Sage’s chest tightened, but she refused to back down. “I have work to do, Alpha,” she said, her tone carefully measured.

“Of course,” he said, his gaze dropping to the cloth in her hand. “Don’t let me stop you.”

He lingered for a moment longer, his presence suffocating, before finally stepping away. As he disappeared down the hall, Sage released a shaky breath, her hands trembling.

The encounter left her more certain than ever—she needed to leave.